Anyone have a Tree Shovel

[woodlandfarms]

The wife wants to move a bunch o tree around the property. Nothing huge, and our budget nor tractor will allow one of those very cool multi-point hydraulic lifters. I was looking at Dirtworks, then saw one from New Holland (anyone know of a dealer in Washington /Oregon?)

I am wondering if they are any good, who might recommend them, or any alternatives... Because of the PT I am pretty open to different manufactures.

Carl

 

[dsb5610]

Carl,

I have a buddy that has one on a case skid loader. He has used it to move numerous trees and says it gets the job done. I don't have a pressing need for one but if I see one at an auction for a decent price I will have one too.

dsb

 

[dapper]

woodlandfarms,
I too was looking at what your looking at. I ended up ordering a "u-blade" made by Virnig Mfg. It should be in by the end of the week. I went with the open back blade as it looks to be more of a multi purpose tool. take a look at this thread. Would be interested in your comments.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/95877-u-digger-vs-v-digger.html

… Virnig Manufacturing …

 

[woodlandfarms]

woodlandfarms,
I too was looking at what your looking at. I ended up ordering a "u-blade" made by Virnig Mfg. It should be in by the end of the week. I went with the open back blade as it looks to be more of a multi purpose tool. take a look at this thread. Would be interested in your comments.

Thanks for the links! So, how much was this open back device? We want to transplant trees, we do have a backhoe but I think it is going to be more trouble than trying something like this. Just struggling with a 1K purchase price and then shipping on top of it...

Carl

 

[cddva]

I bought one from Skid Steer Solutions. I believe they are in Washington State. Works real well for transplanting small trees and shrubs. On larger shrubs/trees, ideally you want to "dig in" from more than one side, if you have the room. Very well built, you can put a lot of leverage on these depending on your machine so it needs to be solidly built. Here's a link: Skid Steer Tree Spade For Bobcat Style Skidsteer Loaders

 

[Skerby]

Dirtworks Tree Shovel (Spade Nose): Bobcat Skid Steer Attachment or Tractor Attachment

Above like prices the dirt works shovel @ only $695 + $100-200 shipping!
I'm considering it now also! Plus you can see vidoes of it moving a birch and pine Good luck! -Skerb

 

[dapper]

woodlandfarms,
From what I was able to find out they are all about the same price. Starting at around $700 for "dirtworks" to a litter over $1100 for the one from Bobcat. Mine was $1025, and that was delivered to my door. You may do better, but if you have to pay shipping it usually climbs back up. I ended up with the u-blade from Vernig, for the simple fact that I could get it through my local dealer. They were within $30 of what it would cost to order and then ship from some of the others. I now have a little recourse if something goes wrong. Plus the dealer I use for everything else is happy to get some more of my money, and I will expect him to remember me the next time I come in for something else. I am looking for this to be delivered this week, and will post some pictures when it gets here.

 

[amigauser]

Would something like this work - Skid Steer Stump Bucket

They seem to have very good pricing.

Norm

 

[Skerby]

Probably would work great if you're looking to kill the tree/bush your removing with it. But that might be your intention, like the wife says, lets move that bush next to your barn service door, you know, the one that flowers and smells like urine?

 

[Redbug]

Hi Carl,

I plan on buying one also. These are the ones I have investigated so far:

Markham Welding - Grubber/Stump Bucket
Tree Spade
Skid Steer Stump Bucket
Kasco.com website
Dirtworks Tree Shovel (Spade Nose): Bobcat Skid Steer Attachment or Tractor Attachment

I plan on ordering the one from Markham Welding in the next couple of weeks.
Make sure you have the Bobcat Quick Attach on your loader to hook it up.

 

[Skerby]

Don't you guys think the shovel, being rounded is like 1 of the 3 point spades used for MOVING trees, whereas the QA stump things look like a backhoe bucket used for REMOVING stumps? I'd personally think i'd KILL a bush or tree by severely damaging the roots if i tried to move a redbud or something with that square-jawed monster... I have a backhoe and would probably consider the dirtworks for 1.) price, and 2.) they show a video of it working, and 3.) it's like 1/3 of a the style of the 3 point tree extracting implement.
no offense but you need to think what you're ultimately using it for...

 

[Redbug]

Hi Skerby,

I see your point about rounded vs squared off shovels. The rounded ones probably are better for transplanting. But, I think the squared off ones, (like the Markham, and the Skid Steer Stump Bucket), can also be placed and driven in at more than one location around the bush before loosening and lifting it out. You can also place it straight down and wiggle it forward and back to make it penetrate deeper.

I plan on using the one I order to dig some stumps out. I figure I would just as soon buy one of those stump buckets and dig them out myself for just a few dollars more than I would pay somebody with a stumpgrinder to come in and grind them out. The Markham is $374 plus shipping, ($60 for me), and I can foresee several projects in the near future it can be used for. Poor man's backhoe?

 

[dapper]

Morning all,
My u-blade was delivered yesterday, and as promised, here are the pictures. Sorry there are no pictures of it in action, as it is so wet here that I can't even get off the driveway. Soon as it dries up I will post pic of blade in use, as I have a ton of things I want to use it for.

 

[dapper]

Thought you all might like to see the digger in action, so as promised here are a couple of working shots. I have been very pleased so far. It will pull out a rock or move shrubs with no strain. Have even tried digging small ditch. Works great. I have big plans for this digger on my place. It is always good to get something that works as they say it will. As redbug says "poor mans back hoe" seems to be appropriate!

 

[Redbug]

Hi guys,

I received my stump bucket several days ago from Markham Welding, (the folks that make the toothbars). I messed around with it a little the past few days and am really impressed with the bucket. I attached a couple pics of a pine stump I finally dug out. Whew...I never knew pine stumps went so deep! That central root goes straight down...not like an oak. I had to dig a ramp down in the hole to continue digging! I also used it dig a footing for a small building at my neighbor's place...and it worked well. Money well spent!